Development – Daily Hudson Valley Newshttp://www.hvinsider.com/articles
Online news source for the Mid Hudson RegionFri, 01 May 2015 05:10:35 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.16 Week Small Business Seminar Series in Dutchesshttp://www.hvinsider.com/articles/6-week-small-business-seminar-series-in-dutchess/
Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:06:50 +0000http://www.hvinsider.com/articles/?p=16236The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with SCORE and the New York State Small Business Development Center, is offering a unique opportunity to those wanting to start a new business or grow an existing one. During the six-week Small Business Institute seminar series kicking off on Thursday, October 2, participants will learn tips, tricks and insider information from local experts on a variety of topics, all geared toward getting a business off the ground or out of a rut. All sessions will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the Poughkeepsie Galleria’s community room.

The Small Business Institute curriculum will touch on business planning, marketing and social media strategies, dealing with financial projections, access to capital and much more. Members of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce are invited to participate for $15, while non-members are welcome for $30. RSVP online at dcrcoc.org. The one-time registration includes all six sessions.

Community Capital New York, Cindy M. Smith, CPA and the Poughkeepsie Galleria proudly sponsor the 2014 Small Business Institute.

The SCORE Association “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association comprised of 13,000+ volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are offered at no fee, as a community service. Learn more at score.org.

Through 24 campus-based regional centers, and 29 outreach offices, the New York State Small Business Development Center applies university, private sector and government resources to solve business problems and foster entrepreneurship. They provide expert management and technical assistance to start-up and existing businesses across New York. The New York SBDC is administered by State University of New York and funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, and host campuses. Visit nysbdc.org for full information.

]]>Revitalizing Newburgh: The Report Back on Economic Developmenthttp://www.hvinsider.com/articles/revitalizing-newburgh-the-report-back-on-economic-development/
Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:20:33 +0000http://www.hvinsider.com/articles/?p=16034Newburgh City Manager Michael Ciaravino spoke to a large group of Newburgh residents at Mount Saint Mary College on Sunday, July 20, as part of the Newburgh Community Conversation series.

Ciaravino’s topic was “Newburgh: A Report Back on Economic Development.” The event was hosted and sponsored by the Mount in the newly renovated Dominican Center, formerly Mount Saint Mary Academy. Lisa Gallina, director of admissions for Mount graduate and adult degree programs, introduced Conversation Facilitator Arianna Koudounas and Ciaravino.

Ciaravino has been Newburgh’s city manager for six weeks, since moving his family here from the Cleveland, Ohio area. He’s covered quite a lot of ground in Newburgh already, both figuratively and literally. He’s ridden along on police patrols, observed city employees at work, responded with fire fighters to a call, and “cleaned” the windows of City Hall.

Ciaravino described his early experiences in Newburgh, and spoke about his vision for revitalizing Newburgh as a post-Industrial American city. “Newburgh can be an example. How will the urban centers in post-industrial America recreate themselves in ways that are meaningful and sustainable? We can help to set the bar.”

Newburgh Community Conversation is the brainchild of Arianna Koudounas, a Newburgh resident and graduate student at Georgetown University, studying urban and regional planning. Arianna organizes Newburgh events that feature local speakers and discussion groups, to allow Newburgh residents to gather and discuss both problems and solutions in the community. This event was the fourth in the series.

]]>City of Newburgh Seeks Feedback on Community Development Needshttp://www.hvinsider.com/articles/city-of-newburgh-seeks-feedback-on-community-development-needs/
Mon, 09 Jun 2014 02:54:44 +0000http://www.hvinsider.com/articles/?p=15863The City of Newburgh has opened the comment period for 2015 CDBG funding opportunities as well as the 2015-2019 action plan. The public comment period is made available to obtain citizens’ views on the City’s housing and community development needs including non-housing community development needs.

There are a number of ways for residents to participate. The City will conduct a public meeting to gather public input on housing, community services, homelessness, fair housing situation and other community needs. During this meeting residents will have the opportunity to discuss the City’s current needs, action items and priorities. The meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2014, 6:00 p.m. at 401 Washington St. Activity Center.

The City Council will also hold public hearings about the Consolidated Plan, the Annual Action Plan on July 14, 2014 – 7 p.m. held in the City Council Chambers in City Hall (83 Broadway). The public is encouraged to attend this hearing and to comment upon the documents in the formulation stage and as they are adopted.

The City is conducting a Citizen Survey through the use of a Web-based program available to all residents of the City. This survey asks residents how they feel about programs relating to housing, community services, economic development, homelessness, and fair housing.

The survey may be completed from a home computer or by using a computer at the public library, a church, or a community center. The survey is direct and takes only about five minutes to complete. Newburgh residents are urged to go to www.cityofnewburgh-ny.gov to complete the survey. If you are unable to access a computer, copies of the survey will also be available at the neighborhood meetings and your responses will be entered into the database. The survey will be available in English and Spanish.

For more information about this process, or to request accommodations for a disability, please contact Courtney Kain, Director, Community Development at 845/569-9400 or ckain@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov. For more information, visit the City of Newburgh website www.newburgh-ny.gov

]]>Empire Resorts Announces Workforce Development Planhttp://www.hvinsider.com/articles/empire-resorts-announces-workforce-development-plan/
Wed, 30 Apr 2014 20:39:24 +0000http://www.hvinsider.com/articles/?p=15688Empire Resorts, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Empire”) Monday announced that it has retained DACK Consulting Solutions, Inc. (“DACK”) to assist in establishing a program for the inclusion of minority, women and veteran-owned businesses (“MWVBEs”) in the pre-construction and construction phases of its proposed destination gaming resort development (“Gaming Facility”) in accordance with the Upstate New York Gaming and Economic Development Act. Such proposed Gaming Facility will be located at Adelaar, a four-season, $750 million destination resort planned for Sullivan County by subsidiaries of EPR Properties (“EPR”), Empire and other co-developers. The MWVBE program will be submitted to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board (the “Board”) in connection with Empire’s application for a Gaming Facility license.

“Our association with DACK represents a significant milestone in addressing the workforce enhancement factors in the Board’s Request for Applications. Our application will be submitted on or before June 30, 2014,” said Empire’s CEO Joseph D’Amato. “With less than 65 days left for the applications to be submitted, real and robust MWVBE plans require substantial preparations to be implemented upon the awarding of a license. We and LP Ciminelli (“LPC”), our construction manager, will work closely with DACK to identify and implement innovative and comprehensive MWBVE programs for construction of the proposed Gaming Facility. DACK, which will also assist with implementing a diversity program for operations at the Gaming Facility, will be a tremendous resource in ensuring that minority, woman, and veteran-owned businesses are provided a legitimate opportunity to bid and be awarded contracts, should we be granted a Gaming Facility license.”

“The commitment being demonstrated by Empire is significant and will have a positive impact on the MWVBEs and provide for equal employment opportunities on those construction jobs that will be created,” stated Aleksandra Chancy, P.E., and Principal of DACK. “As a minority woman owned business, we fully understand the importance of utilizing minority, woman, and veteran owned businesses and hiring a diverse workforce.”

Reaching our goals will require a complete picture of the available MWVBE businesses in the region as well as a substantive understanding of the construction project, which will begin immediately if we are granted a Gaming Facility license. DACK’s responsibilities will include

Outreach to potential contractors and workforce
Facilitating bidding and labor opportunities in the area
Working with us and LPC to identify contracting opportunities
Developing an initial plan to achieve our participation objectives
Monitoring compliance concerning the achievement of MWVBE utilization and workforce diversity goals and
Providing mentoring to the selected MWVBEs during the bidding phase.

DACK will soon begin to hold forums in several localities surrounding Sullivan and Orange Counties to increase awareness of the project and the potential opportunities for certified MWVBEs. These forums will incorporate local churches, civil groups, not-for-profit organizations, business chambers, veterans groups and local governments in an effort to help them better understand the project and how it can be utilized by MWVBEs and those seeking construction employment.

]]>Maloney Named President of Dutchess County Economic Development Corphttp://www.hvinsider.com/articles/maloney-named-president-of-dutchess-county-economic-development-corp/
Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:26:26 +0000http://www.hvinsider.com/articles/?p=7644Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation Names Catherine Maloney President and CEO of Agency

Thomas McQuade, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), today announced the promotion of Catherine A. Maloney to President and CEO of the organization. Maloney has served as the acting President and CEO of DCEDC since January of this year. Maloney had been DCEDC’s Director of Business Development since January of 2008. Her advancement is effective immediately.

Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro observed, “Catherine Maloney has been an integral part of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation and we congratulate her on her new position as President and CEO of the organization. The realignment of the economic development structure in Dutchess County, with Cathy Maloney leading the DCEDC and Ron Hicks serving in county government as Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Planning & Development, enables us to strategically focus on our 4R Future plan to reform, retain, reinvest and recruit. As we seek to rebuild our local economy and lead Dutchess County to greater economic stability and growth, we look forward to working with Cathy in our continued partnership with the DCEDC for a successful future.”

The announcement comes just prior to the 2012 DCEDC Annual Breakfast on May 3 at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, and the April 26 Board of Directors meeting at Saint Francis Hospital. Thomas McQuade is a business coach and proprietor of The Entrepreneur’s Source in Poughkeepsie.

McQuade noted, “Dutchess County is a terrific place in which to live and work. Our staff, under Catherine’s solid leadership, is committed to making it even better. Our number one goal is to create new jobs, both by attracting modern, innovative businesses, as well as retaining current Dutchess County jobs. This entails helping area businesses maintain market share as well as expand, through a number of initiatives and programs, both inventive and traditional.”

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Catherine has made the Hudson Valley her home for more than 30 years. A graduate of SUNY/New Paltz, with a B.S. in Business Administration, Catherine previously served as Executive Director of the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce and was a small business owner herself. For 12 years Catherine was Zone Coordinator for the Kingston/Ulster Empire Zone of New York State. Catherine serves on the Board of Rural Ulster Preservation Company and the Kingston Sailing Club.

Catherine Maloney said, “I am proud and honored by the confidence the DCEDC Board of Directors has shown in me. It’s been a pleasure getting to know more about area business operations in such a diverse range of companies. I’m excited about delivering programs and services to help all of our businesses grow and thrive. When one firm prospers, the entire business scene is strengthened.”

Started in 1978, the DCEDC is a private, nonprofit organization serving the cities, towns, and villages of Dutchess County. Dutchess County Tourism is a division of the DCEDC, and both receive funding from the County of Dutchess. DCEDC supports and promotes business development in Dutchess County through a variety of business attraction, expansion, grants and entrepreneurial development programs. Their offices are located at 3 Neptune Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Visit their website.

]]>Letter to the Editor : Bill Would Benefit Local Winemakers, Farm Marketshttp://www.hvinsider.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-bill-would-benefit-local-winemakers-farm-markets/
Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:42:13 +0000http://www.hvinsider.com/articles/?p=7499Thanks to the hard work of local advocates, farmers and winemakers, the New York Senate recently passed a bill that will have a major impact on local wineries and farmers. Now, it’s up to the Assembly, which will consider the bill soon.

The Senate bill, S.4242-A, authorizes the sale of wine produced by farms, wineries or micro-wineries at licensed roadside farm markets. This means that more local products will be available to shoppers in the area, opening up a new avenue of business for companies that are an integral part of a proud tradition of excellence right here in the Hudson Valley.

In addition to the many wineries and vineyards in our region, the bill has the full support of the Hudson Valley Food and Beverage Alliance, a group that promotes and represents the wide range of organizations in the food and beverage industry that call our area home. Leading the way in this sector is the winemaking industry, which traces its roots in this region back hundreds of years.

For generations, winemakers have supported local families and communities, and we feel that it’s time for New York to do what it can to ensure a bright future for these companies that mean so much to the Hudson Valley. This effort serves as a way to boost business for these organizations, as well as allow them to hire more employees as they grow their brands.

The bill itself takes action by amending current alcoholic beverage control laws in order to allow for the sale of wine produced by small farms, wineries and micro-wineries at roadside farm markets, as long as the stand is within 20 miles of where the wine is produced. Those of us in support of the measure think it makes sense due to the fact that local wines are derived from agricultural products grown right here in New York.

While the bill expands local vineyards’ abilities to market to a new customer base, it still requires regulations that ensure the responsible sale of alcoholic beverages at farm stands. These stands will be supervised by the State Liquor Authority (SLA), and they will be able to sell wines from a maximum of two wineries each. Tastings will also not be allowed, as stands may only offer wine by the bottle.

In addition to winemakers, the bill also benefits farm markets themselves, as it gives the farmers who run them another locally grown product to sell — one with the potential to attract more customers to their stands. We know that buying local helps the communities here in the Hudson Valley, and this measure will help foster more of those types of purchases.
With some fairly small adjustments to state law, we have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact on a local industry that we take pride in throughout the region. It’s a common-sense approach that allows us to do a great thing for both wineries and farmers.

We encourage all citizens to express their support of this positive effort as it approaches the Assembly. If enacted, it will have great short-term and long-term effects on the outstanding winemaking industry we’re fortunate to have in the Hudson Valley.

By Sen. William J. Larkin Jr. and Mike Oates

Sen. William J. Larkin Jr. is a Republican and Conservative serving New York’s 39th District. Mike Oates is the CEO and President of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.